Reviews

Tizliz

After all, no-one is going to pay for negative reviews :-)

Yes they do, on a rival’s site. I watch a TV Programme about a shop that was put out of business by a rival doing this and they couldn’t do anything about it.

I don’t think anyone can review anonymously any more (books) but some years ago I certainly heard of a fairly well known author writing a bad review for a rival’s novel - and actually admitting that she did such things!

An author friend of mine was once terribly upset by a scathing Amazon review of her novel. However, I knew at once who’d written it - a less successful author who’d once belonged to the same writing group as I did, and had written me (an aspiring author at the time) two positively poisonous letters that had me in tears. Her style of writing almost screamed from the page.

So I was able to tell my friend that it was all down to the horrible old bag’s jealousy.

I often write reviews, bad as well as good and never had any not published. I find reviews very helpful, especially the 4* ones. Latest was 1* and that was published

I do both.. On some sites you can tap on the ie 3* and see what they say at that star rating. You can definitely do this on Amazon and JL.

I'm super cautious about buying clothes from Amazon :
After reading glowing reports , I bought some yoga pants .
They looked lovely when they arrived .
Not only did the seams rip the first time I wore them , but great deal of colour came out each time I washed them .
I couldn't put them in the washing machine .
If unhappy , I could send them back to Thailand for a replacement .

I have bought swimsuits with success - the reviews were honest .

After all, no-one is going to pay for negative reviews :-)

Yes they do, on a rival’s site. I watch a TV Programme about a shop that was put out of business by a rival doing this and they couldn’t do anything about it.

I've never not had a review published, good or bad. I try to be objective and fair to help other buyers make an informed choice and, as a left hander, if the article is particularly hard or easy to use for a leftie I'd point it out.

I've left negative reviews on Amazon France and they are NEVER published. They fall out of review guidelines. Eh?? But why are my positive ones published?! Seems Amazon France does not like negative reviews.

ExaltedWombat

This sounds like ‘I bought a washing machine, but I’m marking it down because I really wanted a television’! I’m sure there is a route for making product suggestions, but this wasn’t it.

No it’s more like “I bought this washing machine but it’s really hard to access the filter” , or “the soap dispenser drawer does not come out to wash.”
Things you would not necessarily be aware of until you tried to use it.
Or in the case of a garment, tried it on.

I always read reviews and they have helped me select goods. If the majority are good and just a few are critical then I tend to abide by the majority. I also read around the product so if there are other review sources then I will look at them as well. The more important the item the more time I take. Because I use them I also write them when asked as I feel that is only fair.

NotSpaghetti

louella I've popped over to look at your suggestion via the link and just wanted to share this review found there;

Sorely Disappointed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 19 December 2013
^As an individual plagued with chronic constipation and bowel distress for most of my adult life, I felt that my prayers had finally been answered by Captain Trimmer's bold and succinct title. You can imagine my disappointment when I realised that, once again, my dyslexia had let me down.^

Hilarious!

I do read reviews, but only the negative ones. After all, no-one is going to pay for negative reviews :-) I think they are most likely to be honest. I might still buy the product, though. It's not the seller's fault if the shoes you ordered are too strappy, too blue or your OH doesn't like them! It is their fault, though, if the stitching is coming undone, the straps fall off or if the dye is patchy.

Louella thanks for your suggestion - best ever reviews

I get very irritated by the 5* reviews which then say things like "I haven't read the book yet but I'm sure it will be good" or "I bought this as a present for someone, it looks fine"

This sounds like ‘I bought a washing machine, but I’m marking it down because I really wanted a television’! I’m sure there is a route for making product suggestions, but this wasn’t it.

Both Holland and Barrett and the app Tennis TV would not accept my reviews which were critical! I removed the word ‘disappointed’ on the Tennis TV and it was accepted. So now I realise reviews are often rigged.

I now read reviews for restaurants we haven’t tried before. We’d fancied a beautiful Italian in Portugal, but it seemed to be closed a lot whenever we were on holiday, which was intriguing. Then we went straight in when we saw it open once. The WORST meal ever. Inedible even. The chef kept walking into the restaurant to fill up his wine glass, he looked sozzled. I checked reviews after we left (I know 🙄) the first one said ‘just don’t’. This fit that place perfectly.

I was pleased to get my letter criticising a scathing review of Graham Smith’s book ( he’s the man who runs Republic and was arrested outside King Charles’ coronation). The reviewer was smug and elitist. I was surprised The Literary Review published my letter, shows they are even handed, unlike some other publications.

I always read reviews for hotels , apartments etc for holidays or weekends. And use TA , Airbnb or booking.com. Although some reviews it’s obvious the reviewer hasn’t done any research as their reason for the complaints are there on the previous reviews or on the properties website.
I review stuff on Amazon or on clothes websites as it gives me info on sizing up or down and help me make choices. I sometimes review restaurants.
As for writing reviews, it depends how busy I am. Although I do for booking.com and Airbnb as it’s pretty quick and easy . TA used to be quite time consuming submitting reviews.
Poor reviews on a pair of sandals from next helped me get a refund . They were poorly finished inside and ripped my feet to shreds. All the reviews said the same and next refunded me.

Foxygloves I had the same response from Seasalt, which I really didn't understand! I reviewed some cotton pjs: I'd bought the same style previously and they were fine. The ones I reviewed (same size/style but a different colour) were absolutely enormous! Tbh, as someone else said, I always start reading the low score reviews and work up as they're often informative; and I've found Seasalt sizing has become erratic with other garments too. Sooo annoying, even though the returns are easy to do.

I read clothes reviews if I am interested in buying. Sometimes they help me decide not to buy, or what size to buy or definitely to go ahead. It really helps. For example “ the fabric creases badly when you wear it” “ The fabric looks really cheap; not at all like the photo suggests” or “ I’m usually a 14 but I bought a size 12 and it was perfect on me” all really informs my decision making

I usually read them but disregard a lot, especially on Amazon as a lot of people don't even seem to be reviewing the thing I am looking at buying. I don't use Trustpilot anymore as a lot of their reviews used to be paid for. I know they did a purge at one point but it still seems to be going on. We read reviews on hotels, restaurants, etc but bear in mind many things are very subjective. We always order them by date so we know we are looking at recent reviews, not something that happened a year ago.

Some reviews are hilarious - it's fairly obvious sometimes that the reviewer doesn't understand how something actually works or what it is supposed to do and you have to wonder what they thought they were buying.

I did write a one star review recently for a cabin bag that was a present (from us). Hardly used, and only as cabin baggage, but the handle mechanism is broken, completely buggered.
Just not fit for purpose - and it certainly wasn’t cheap.

This puts me in mind of my sister’s business, she runs Airbnb from her home. She consistently gets 5 star reviews for the accommodation and her hospitality and is listed as a ‘super host’. Her description of the accommodation is spot on, including that the sea is 5.4 kilometres away and it’s a short drive into the town. She offers to organise taxis and will give lifts herself if home, for non drivers. Yet she still gets visitors who mark her lovely accommodation down for the sole reason it’s not walkable to the sea or the town when they know ahead what they are getting. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Maggiemaybe
Re the 5* reviews...
I suppose if someone thinks everything is excellent I just assume they are not very discerning...
I do know someone like this . She always has a "marvellous" time wherever she goes, the food is always "fabulous" the wine "superb" and hotels seem to have "views to die for".

She is decidedly mid-range in terms of the above.. not Michelin restaurants etc.
Never disappointed though.
Wish I had her mindset frankly (or some of whatever she's drinking!).

I don't necessarily think they are fake reviews as others might.

I will probably buy another pair - often do that now if I really like something - before they discontinue it. 🙁